With the strong possibility that Steven Jackson will leave the St. Louis Rams as a free agent, SN correspondent Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch analyzed the team's options for replacing what would be a considerable hole in the running game.

The current roster has two small second-year players — Daryl Richardson (5-10, 196) and Isaiah Pead (5-10, 197) — who could fill some of Jackson's carries in 2013. Pead, a second-round pick last year, was beaten out by Richardson, a seventh-rounder, for the No. 2 role last season.

Coach Jeff Fisher said recently that Pead was drafted with the idea he could be "the guy." But Pead didn't provide evidence of that last season. The team limited him to 10 carries, partly because of fumbling problems.

Richardson showed breakaway ability while rushing for 475 yards, but he had no touchdowns and rushed for 24 yards on 16 carries in the final five games.

"Pead toward the end of the year, Daryl at the beginning and middle, proved they can play in the league," general manager Les Snead told the Post-Dispatch. "They will all have a role. Richardson is going to have a role. Pead is going to have a role. They are all going to have a role, and we are going to utilize those roles."

If the team wants a Jackson-type back to replace Jackson, the player probably would come through the draft. With their second first-round pick (22nd overall), the team could take a look at Alabama's Eddie Lacy, a 5-11, 231-pound bruiser who might be the only running back selected in the first round.

Lacy averaged 6.5 yards per carry for the national championship team and is extremely physical. There are no questions about his ability to run between the tackles, but can he turn the corner in the NFL?

He didn't run at the Scouting Combine because of a hamstring injury, and the hope is he'll be recovered in time to run at Alabama's pro day on March 13. The Rams could be one of the teams eager to find out his 40 time.